BOARD OF
SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Meeting
for Week of September 25, 2007
The Board met at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 25, 2007
at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with
Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree
present, to give updates on attendance at various meetings, with no action
taken.
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday,
September 25, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue
in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and
Jamie Tolfree present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mary Repar inquired about a west end trail and trail head,
the status of grading and stormwater ordinances, and advised of concerns
regarding the number of septic systems in Carson and log rafts in Drano Lake.
Commissioner
Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried
unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
1.
Minutes
for week of September 18, 2007.
2.
Acknowledge
submission of a grant application for public defense funding to the WA State
Office of Public Defense.
3.
Liquor
license renewals for Skamania General Store and Washougal River Mercantile.
4.
Agreement
with Parks & Recreation Commission to provide grant funding for boat patrol
& boating classes.
5.
Memorandum
of Understanding with WA State Traffic Commission to provide funding for
overtime pay for a certified Drug Recognition Expert from the Sheriff’s Office
to be used when a WA State Patrol employee is not available for incidents
within Skamania County.
6.
Agreement
with Greater Columbia Behavioral Health to provide funding to operate a Prepaid
Inpatient Health Plan to provide medically necessary mental health services to
Medicaid eligible clients.
7.
Agreement
with Greater Columbia Behavioral Health to provide funding for emergency and
outpatient mental health treatment for Medicaid eligible clients.
8.
Agreement
with Longview Goodwill Industries to provide useful community service
assignments for low-income mature workers in order to increase their skills and
assist transition to permanent employment, at no cost to Skamania County.
9.
Resolution
2007-40 amending revolving fund for Senior Services volunteer drivers mileage
and other authorized travel expenses.
Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and
motion carried unanimously to award the bid for the Salmon Falls Park and Ride
and Canyon Creek Road Realignment Project to James Dean Construction, Inc of
Glenwood, WA for the total amount of $411,571.00.
Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services gave an overview of
2008 budget requests and presented the 2008 Preliminary Budget.
Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and
motion carried unanimously to ratify the Board’s action of September 24, 2007
approving Resolution 2007-41 declaring a local emergency due to fire activity.
The Board discussed the restriction of small debris fires that ends on
September 30, 2007. The Board deferred
their decision regarding whether or not to extend the restriction until
Tuesday, October 2, 2007.
Larry Douglass, Public Works Director reported on Rock Creek Slide
conveyance and timber removal projects, private road standards, Engineering
projects, County Road projects, ER&R, Solid Waste, and Building Department.
The
Board met with Claire Lavendel, Gifford Pinchot National Forest Supervisor,
Nancy Ryke, Mt Adams District Ranger and Tom Mulder, Mount St Helens Monument
District Ranger. Topics and issues
discussed included flood and storm damage issues on roads and trails, timber
sales, Swift area, county payments bill, trailhead camping, Hemlock Lake, Wind
River site water system, Sawtooth Huckleberry project, Mount St. Helens
Monument, and the upcoming 100th birthday celebrations of the
Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the Skamania County Fair.
The
meeting recessed at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 25, 2007 and reconvened at 11:45 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners
Pearce and Tolfree present.
A
public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2007-37 Supplemental Budget #2
for 2007 to supplement budgets for various department funds due to
unanticipated expenditures and revenues unknown at the time of passing the 2007
budget. Commissioner Tolfree moved,
seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve Resolution
2007-37 Supplemental Budget #2 for 2007.
The
meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m. Tuesday, September 25, 2007 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners
Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.
Commissioner
Pearce moved, seconded Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously
to approve a request from Jerry Sauer, amending the approval granted on July
10, 2007 for a conservation boundary line adjustment that consists of changing
the existing lot line configuration of the south half of the island area
between the Muddy River and the Lewis River on parcel numbers
07-06-24-0-0-0700-00 and 07-06-24-0-0-0200-00 located in Section 24, T7N, R6E,
W.M., Skamania County, Washington, subject to the following conditions:
1. No
bonus lots or other special considerations will be granted due to the voluntary
conservation boundary line adjustment;
2. All
deeds to process the voluntary boundary line adjustment will be processed at
the same time; and,
3. The
new deed for the parcel containing the island shall state there is a 10-year
moratorium on land divisions beginning at the time the boundary line adjustment
is recorded.
Ann
Lueders, Safety Committee Chair reported on the Safety Committee meeting of
September 11, 2007. The Board reviewed
and discussed the following reports: #2007-E-12, #2007-17, #2007-19, #2007-20,
#2007-21, #2007-22, #2007-E-15, and #2007-E-16. Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree
and motion carried unanimously to agree with the Safety Committee’s findings
and recommendations for all reports submitted.
The
meeting recessed at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 25, 2007 and reconvened at 5:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners
Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.
A
public hearing was held to consider Ordinance 2007-12 adoption of Interim
Zoning Controls for Swift Subarea.
Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director gave a
staff report and advised of one correction that needed to be made in Section
21.68.110, subsection (A), deleting #13 and renumbering the remainder of the
subsection accordingly. Comments from
the public included commercial timber owner’s commitment to long term timber
management, request for the moratorium to be lifted if interim zoning is
adopted, need to protect wildlife habitat, need for increased fire and law
enforcement services, concern regarding critical areas, need to protect health,
safety and welfare of citizens, and the need to keep commercial resources. The hearing was closed to public
comments. Following deliberations by
the Board, Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and
motion carried unanimously to approve Ordinance 2007-12 adding a new Chapter
21.68 Swift Interim Zoning to Skamania County Code Title 21 Zoning, with the
correction to Section 21.68.110, subsection (A), deleting #13 and renumbering
the remainder of the subsection accordingly.
Commissioner
Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously
to set a public hearing for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 16, 2007 to consider
repealing the moratorium on the acceptance
and processing of building, mechanical and/or plumbing permits on any parcel of
land 20 acres or larger that was created by deed since February 16, 2006, the acceptance and processing of land divisions
creating lots of less than 10 acres, on the construction/placement of more than
one single-family dwelling per legal lot of record, and the acceptance and
processing of State Environmental Policy Act checklists related to forest
practice conversions for any parcel located within the area known as the Swift
Subarea of Skamania County.
The
meeting recessed at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, September 25, 2007 and reconvened at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, September 26, 2007, with
Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.
The
Board observed a federal hearing in Washington, DC via the internet regarding
county payments House Bill 3058.
Commissioner
Tolfree joined the meeting at approximately 10:00 a.m.
The Board participated in 2008 Preliminary Budget
workshops with the following departments, with no action taken: Community
Events and Recreation, Buildings and Grounds, Pool, Fair, and Capital
Improvements.
The Board met in executive session regarding
personnel from 11:50 a.m. until 12:00 pm., with no action taken.
The
meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 26, 2007 and reconvened at
1:05 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree
present.
The Board met in executive session regarding
personnel from 1:05 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., with no action taken.
The
meeting recessed at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 26, 2007 and reconvened at
9:30 a.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson
and Tolfree present.
Commissioner
Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried
unanimously to approve a voucher to the Department of Revenue in the total
amount of $6,963.79.
Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and
motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending September
27, 2007 in the total amount of $127,392.67.
The
Board participated in a workshop with the Auditor to discuss job description
changes and payroll issues, with no action taken.
Commissioner
Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously
to authorize the payment of sick leave cash out to Lenora Bringman based on her
eligibility for retirement, noting that her letter of resignation still stands.
The
meeting recessed at 10:50 a.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007 and reconvened at
11:10 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree
present.
The
Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 11:10 a.m. until 11:40
a.m., with no action taken.
The
meeting recessed at 11:40 a.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007 and reconvened at
12:40 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree
present.
The
Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 12:40 p.m. until 1:05
p.m., with no action taken.
The
Board participated in 2008 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following
departments, with no action taken: Superior Court, Trial Court Improvement,
Juvenile, Clerk, Clerk’s Collection, Treasurer, and Planning and Community
Development.
The
meeting recessed at 2:20 p.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007 and reconvened at
2:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree
present.
The
Board participated in 2008 Preliminary Budget workshops with the following
departments, with no action taken: Prosecutor, Support Enforcement, Crime
Victims Compensation, Law Library, Coroner, Central Services, Counseling
Center, and Public Health.
The
meeting recessed at 4:05 p.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007 and reconvened at
4:20 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree
present.
Commissioner
Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried
unanimously to authorize the County Clerk to proceed with purchasing the
Liberty Recording System in 2007 and direct a supplemental budget to implement
the system.
Commissioner
Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried
unanimously to acknowledge receipt of the 2006 Skamania County Financial
Statements and Federal Single Audit Report from Washington State Auditor’s
Office.
The
Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 4:30 p.m. until 5:00
p.m., with no action taken.
The
meeting recessed at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007 and reconvened at
6:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree
present.
The
Board participated in a workshop with local Fire Districts to review and
discuss the status and further funding of the Community Wildfire Protection
Plan. Present were representatives from
Fire Districts #1, #2, #3, #6, and Mill A; Ole Helgerson, WSU Cooperative
Extension Agent, and Sara Zielin, Title III Wildfire Project Coordinator. Discussion included the need for
deliverables such as map books with necessary data to be provided to fire
districts to complete the Plan, need to get survey data to homeowners, and the
need for a meeting with the Gorge Commission and Forest Service regarding
screening requirements in the Scenic Area.
The
meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007.
BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA
COUNTY, WASHINGTON